Back in HCC #11 (August 2005), I wrote a piece for Lost and Found about the Hornet GT concept that came out of AMC in 1973, predating the better-known Gremlin G-II concept of 1974.

Did I say I love shorty cars? Both images come from the June 1973 issue of Road Test, and I’ve barely seen them elsewhere. I asked my AMC contacts whatever happened to the Hornet GT and to the G-II concepts – after all, the Cowboy pickup still exists, as do all manner of AMX prototypes, so I figured these might still be around. I got no definitive answers, but somebody who worked for AMC at the time told me that one of the twits that came over from Renault absconded with many AMC prototypes before the 1987 sale to Chrysler, and that one or both of the concepts might still be in his collection in France.

But the piece did elicit a response from Art Birchenough, from Brook Park, Ohio. Art said the thought process behind the concept remains alive and well in his own “Hornet GT:”

Body was shortened 18″, but the front suspension was moved forward 8″ (weight transfer). Fibreglass hatch, doors, front fenders, hood (2 piece front opening), front bumper and pan. All homemade except the front fenders, which are pretty heavily massaged to move the wheel well forward 8″. The interior is spartan, but fully upholstered, and it had full working lights, horn, wipers, bumpers (ugly nerf bars but legal) and even an emergency brake. 11.3s when it was still street legal, 10.86 since.

Other than getting the block bored and such, this was all done myself at home, including the engine build, tranny rebuilds, shortening the driveshaft, narrowing the rear end, the body mods and paint, and interior. I’ve been at it for since 82, shortened it in like 86 or 87, and started racing it in 92. If I ever finish it, something is wrong with me, big time…

He sent a video along too, which I’ll have to get up on the Internet for y’all. He also sent along a pic of his 1955 Chevrolet.

…shortened and sectioned. Definitely not popular with lots of people at shows. I keep telling them they could have bought it in 68 for $100 too. It was originally our family car and towed boats and campers all over the eastern half of the country. In about 1978 I decided it was rotten enough to either cut up throw out. I’ve had lots of fun and it has gone a long ways since then.